I want to replace my dipped beam bulbs. First job is to remove the headlight units. I looks so easy in the manual and in the on-line videos but after 11 years without being touched, pulling on the release lever does nothing (yes I did also press on the locking tab).

The mechanism must be corroded or filled with dirt. Pull as I might, the light unit wont unlock.

 

Anyone got any tips?

 

 

Pull harder!

As @MicMacsaid, pull harder. A pair of pliers or locking grips helps and once the headlamp is out, lots of WD40 [tm] or similar and frequent pulling and pushing the release lever until it slides freely, then re-squirt with an appropriately gloopy and sticky lube (bicycle chain lube works a treat) and repeat the working of the lever several more times.

Thanks Guys. I have tried various tools to successfully grip the thin curved lever but I just can't apply enough pull force to get it moving.

Anyone tried a soft faced hammer? I thinking of applying a rope to give good constant force and a hammer to shock load at the same time.

I did wonder if the locking tab is just bending when I press it rather than disengaging?

Any other tricks?

Thanks again.

As Mike says, gentle fore and aft pressure with penetrating oil.

 

You could try tapping judiciously around it with a hammer and drift or an air hammer to shake the rust loose, once you get some movement no matter how small the you have reached the turning point where the war is won but a lot more battling remains.

Tie a loop of string  taught between both release hooks then place a handle in the middle to wind the loop and pull both hooks together.

Could be the locking tab.  I had one break just under the headlight and it felt like you were releasing it but you weren't.  Ended up using a small flat bladed screwdriver unxer the light unit to make sure it was releasing properly

10 minutes ago, skomaz said:

Could be the locking tab.  I had one break just under the headlight and it felt like you were releasing it but you weren't.  Ended up using a small flat bladed screwdriver under the light unit to make sure it was releasing properly

Thanks. This confirms my suspicions as the locking tab just seems to bend.

I will try your tip before going for more force - if the current heavy rain stops tomorrow!

Problem solved. I asked a Skoda garage to look at the problem of removing the headlights as the car was with them for an MOT.

I had been soaking the mechanism in proper spray penetrating oil since my last post. The largest and strongest guy in the workshop eventually got each headlights to move.

The fixed and sliding plates had been held together by rust.

 

He cleaned away the rust and lubricated the parts. Now easy to pop out the headlight for a bulb change. No charge.

 

Yep brute force and lubrication is key.  Now what was I talking about...

 

 

Anyway the biggest bugger when removing the lights if you need to remove the whole unit is when the electrical connector will not shift from the socket.